Heat Transfer by Radiation


Radiation: Heat that is transferred from a heat source by way of radiation. Everything in our environment radiates heat, even our own bodies radiate heat to our surrounding environment.

Radiant Heat Transfer: The transfer of heat energy from a location of higher temperature to a location of lower temperature by means of electromagnetic radiation. Radiant heat will travel through a vacuum such as from the sun to the earth through space.

Two examples of radiation:

1. The sun - The heat from the sun is radiated to the earth and warms the earth.

2. A fire - A fire radiates its heat to its surrounding environment. When you place your hands close to a fire you can feel the heat that is being radiated.